Link



July 25, 1939- J. J. scHoENlNGr-:R

LINK

Filed Jan. 12, 1939 lNvENjroR L75h71 I Schoenzngerwrt-"N asses BY /Pw/V www @WMM/# l ATTORNEYS Patented July 25, 1939 PATENT OFFICE LINK John J. Schoeninger, Forest Hills, Long Island, N. Y.

Application January 12, 1939, Serial No. 250,554

4 Claims.

This invention relates to chains and links, an object being to provide a construction which is simple and yet effective in presenting a desirable link structure for a chain which may be used in jewelry or in other objects, the structure being such that each link is provided with a pair of sliding interlocked members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a link structure which may be arranged in a chain for use not only in jewelry but also for use in supporting lamps or other objects resiliently and in a way to permit swinging in any direction.

An additional and more specic object is to provide a chain with double link members having springs therebetween and single link members connecting the double link members so that each link may swing at its ends and also resiliently yield.

In the accompanying drawing- Fig. l is a side view of a short section of chain disclosing an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of Fig. 1 with certain of the links in section, the same being on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal fragmentary sectional view through two large links and one small link, the same disclosing certain features of the invention;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional View through Fig. l approximately on the line 4 4; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged end View of one of the link members shown in Fig. 2, the same being on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the accompanying drawing by numerals, i indicates a resilent link, and 2 a solid link which is really in the form of a ring, as shown at the center of Fig. 2. Each of the links l is formed with link members 3 and 4, said members being substantially the same construction except that link member 3 is provided with notches 5 and 3, as shown in Fig. 4, so as t0 receive the edges 'l and 8 Of the top and bottom sections 9 and IG of the link member 3. A coil spring Il is arranged within the link members 3 and 4, as shown in Fig. 2, and at one end presses against link member 4 and at the other end presses against link member 3 so as to resiliently hold these members substantially in the position shown in Fig. 2. The spring acting on the link 4 causes this link to press the ring 2 against the end of link 3 as shown at the center of Fig. 2. In regard to the link i', which is identical in structure with link i, the arrangement just described is the saine and the result is that the end of link 3 of link I is spaced from ring 2, as indicated by the numeral I2. This arrangement is carried out through the chain when the chain is loose or substantially loose and consequently, this allows the link l to swing around ring 2 without any friction. When 5 the respective springs Il are under compression, then all the rings 2 may swing freely except for the friction to which they are subjected.

As illustrated particularly in Fig. l, link member 4 has one end extending through link mem- 10 ber 3 and the other end of link 3 extending through link 4. This is the usual way that links are made, as far as interlocking is concerned, but the shape of the cross section of the links, as shown in Fig. 4, and the notches 5 and 15 6 present novel features.

It is understood, of course, that if desired the rings 2 could be eliminated and the respective links I and l interlocked in the usual manner of links, though the use of the rings 2 has been 20 found advantageous as it allows the respective links to freely swing either when the spring ll is under tension or not under tension.

Each of the link members 3 and 4 is U-shaped in cross section and when in proper position one 25 link slides in the grooves 5 and 6 of the other link, as shown in Fig. 4. In order to apply the spring II or to remove the same, the link members 3 and 4 are adjusted so that the end of link member 4 will be at about the center of link 30 member 3 and then the link member 4 is swung to a position at an angle to link member 3. The center of link member 3 is preferably spread to allow this action, and after the spring has been applied link 4 is swung back into correct posi- 35 tion and link member 3 pressed centrally until it moves into correct position.

I claim:

1. A link of the character described comprising a pair of elongated link sections interlocked, one of said sections being provided with a pair of notches at the top and bottom at one end, both of said sections being U-shaped in cross section and arranged so that the edges of one section will t into the notches of the other section, and a spring arranged within said sections, said spring acting against one end of each of said sections to cause the sections to normally remain in telescoped relation.

2. A link of the character described, comprising a pair of link members, one of said link members having a pair of notches at the top and bottom, both of said link members being substantially U-shaped in cross section, the edges of one link member sliding in the notches of the other link member, and a coil spring arranged Within said link members and acting against one end of each link member for giving the link members a tendency to move in opposite directions from each other.

3. A link of the character described including a pair of link members, each link member being formed with a pair of parallel U-shaped sections and rounded end sections connecting said U-shaped parallel sections, one of the ends of one of the link members having a pair of top and bottom notches and the edges of the other link member slidingly fitted into said notches for guiding the sliding movement of the link 15 members in respect to each other.

4. A link of the character described comprising a pair of identically formed link members, each of said link members having at one end a pair of notches at the top and bottom, each of said link members being substantially U- shaped in cross section at all points, said link members being arranged so that the edges of one link will slide in the notches of the other link member and will present in cross section at all points Where they overlap a substantially Maltese cross with rounded ends to the cross arms, and a spring arranged Within said link members acting on the respective ends thereof to give the link members a tendency to telescope in respect to each other.

JOHN J. SCHOENINGER. 

